EG MEETING ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
UN Secretariat, New York 29 & 30 October, 2013
‘Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Tourism Development
in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)’
INTRODUCTION
Samoa
Transportation/Access
Inbound Passenger Carriers:
5 International Airlines
1 Domestic Airline
Ave 21 Cruise Ships p.a.
Inter-island Ferry Services
Direct International Flights per week
:
•
13 to 14 flights from NZ (by market demand)
•
4 from Australia
•
3 from Nadi
•
1 from Honolulu
•
Average. 53 Flights to/from American Sāmoa
•
and 21 flights per week between the main
islands of Upolu and Savaii
•
Regular ferry services between Upolu and
Savaii
Accommodation Inventory Properties Rooms First Class 0 0 Deluxe 9 494 Superior Standard 11 261 Standard 26 458 Budget 32 439 Total 78 1652 Beach Fale Properties 20 320 Experiential Products &Services
• Inclusive Tours
Cycling, Weddings & Honeymoon, Health and Wellness, Festivals and themed Events,
Sports Tourism and Sāmoa Gourmet Cuisine & Beverages
• Marine Adventures
Sustainable Tourism Development
Legislation & Policies and Plans
•
Economic Impact Study 2009
•
Tourism Development Plan 2009-2013, 2014 – 2018
•
Workforce Development Plan 2010 – 2012
•
National Tourism Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2011
•
Tourism Development Act 2012
•
Destination Marketing Plan 2011 – 2013, 2014 – 2018
•
International Visitor Survey 2012 - 2013
Samoa’s Sustainable Tourism Indicator Handbook
developed in 1998 and launched in 2002 and to be reviewed
in November 2013
88,263 88,971 92,486 98,155 101,807 115,882 122,352 122,163 129,305 129,500 127,603 134,564 Year 2001 Year 2002 Year 2003 Year 2004 Year 2005 Year 2006 Year 2007 Year 2008 Year 2009 Year 2010 Year 2011 Year 2012
12 Year Trend: Total number of visitors per year
Tourism Performance
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
• Tourism Development Plan 2009-2013 10% growth
• Increased Local and Foreign Investment in the building of Deluxe and First
Class Category Hotels
• Gradual Increased awareness of Samoa as a Holiday Destination through
usage of Digital Online Marketing & Communication (Samoa Direct Booking Engine, Samoa Hotels Reservations; and OTA - Booking.com; expedia; wotif; agoda etc
• Increased support for Tourism from the Village Communities, Government and
Development Partners
• Tourism is acknowledged nationally as the Mainstay of the Economy and is
vital to the promotion of culture, protection of environment and empowering the quality of village/community lives – the Sustainable Tourism Objectives
• Tourism & Hospitality HRD & Capacity Building Programmes are strengthened
and accredited through the Samoa Qualifications Authority
Tourism Performance vs. Challenges
12
2009-2013: 10% growth was realised but the total forecasted 38% was not so
Forecast based on:
• Growth of Hotel Resorts that were not built;
• Growth of inbound flights that did not materialise;
• Growth targets were established at the TDP consultations by the Industry to encourage more resources to tourism promotions
2008: GFC was forecasted and affected global travel
Our Response: STA and Sector looked to specific niches Earthquake and Tsunami 29/09/09
destroyed 10% of Tourism Development Plant and Communities.
Our response: Tourism Tsunami Recovery Programme (VA: 5.8% /TE: $314m 8.9%)
2009:
Post Tsunami Recovery Period meant increased Market Campaigns to
re-establish market confidence (VA: 0.2% /TE: $308m -1.9%)
2010:
Cessation of LAX flight, Ash cloud, Christchurch earthquake, Rugby World Cup Our Response: STA/Sector looked to Specific Niches (VA: -1.5% /TE: $310m 1%)
2011:
Cyclone Evans in December 12/12/12 (VA: 5.5% /TE: $331.3m 6.8%)
Sustainable Tourism for Small Island Developing States
‘Opportunities are Abundant but so will be the Ongoing
Challenges including those in Managing the Balance’
•
Economic Growth and Improvement of Lifestyles in a Pristine
Environment and of a Culture of Peace and Unique
Experiences, which Rejuvenate the Soul and Promote a Sense
of Purpose is the Ultimate Goal;
•
In order to find the wonderful formula that will deliver on
these Ultimate Objectives, much Research Work and
Intelligence will be sought by the individual Small Islands
Developing States as it will not be a place specific formula, as
per the advise of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Sustainable Tourism for Small Island Developing States
‘Opportunities Abundant with Ongoing Challenges to Manage the Balance’
• So whilst Opportunities are abundant, so are the Challenges for the Small Island Developing
States as we continue to deal with
• our vulnerability to Climate Change;
• our vulnerability to Global Warming and rising sea levels;
• our competing with major and experienced holiday destinations for the same
tourist market segments;
• our competing with the same destinations amidst rising marketing costs;
• our facing the challenges of finding sustainable energy efficiency solutions at
affordable levels;
• our efforts of sustaining cost-effective quality infrastructure for public/private
usage;
• Our continuous efforts to seek sustainable water quality solutions that will last a
lifetime if not forever.
• These are to name just a few of the ongoing challenges, and at the eve of Samoa Graduating from her LDC Status, we can only pray that the same leaders who had formulated this framework will consider another that will be most appropriate to the Small Island Developing States in order that the desirable sustainable
Developments, will be Sustainable for the benefit of the existing and future
